The Communications Unit works closely with other departments to ensure it understands the dynamics of the organization and the information it needs to communicate. The Communications Unit has the responsibility for providing strategic advice and support on communications issues and managing day-to-day media relations, including media enquiries and releases and ensure good relationship between the municipality and the community and responding to press comments in matters directly affecting the UThukela District Municipality.
Providing vibrant and sustainable communication services for an informed citizenry and a positive image of the Municipality, supports its mission of creating an enabling environment for the provision of inclusive communication services to all South Africans in a manner that promotes socio-economic development and investment through broadcasting, new media, print media and new technologies. The communication department plays a crucial role in an organization's success.
The Communications Unit is responsible for:
- Collecting and analysing information to provide high-level advice.
- Advising interventions of the Municipal priorities, themes and key messages for communications that support or inform Municipal communications plans and activities.
- Coordinating major municipal communications programs and promotions.
- Liaising with and providing advice to the Mayoral offices on day-to-day media issues.
- Managing day-to-day media relations, including media enquiries and media releases, coordinating media relating to whole-of-municipal activities, including Budgets and other major announcements.
- Overseeing the development and implementation of media strategies.
- Maintenance and development of the municipal website and social networks.
- Reviewing and approving communications strategies, and creative concepts for campaigns.
- Develop a Newsletters – employees and communities want to know what is happening in the organization, newsletter utilize simple and understandable language.
- Providing communications as required and responsible for organising the District Communicators Forum meetings quarterly.
- Providing advice and approvals for communications procurement, including reviewing tender specifications and participating on tender evaluation panels.
- Advice and approvals for campaign advertising and the sale of advertising and reviewing evaluation of advertising campaigns where required.
- Liaise with stakeholders on behalf of the Municipality, by attending to queries and concerns from the stakeholders through post; emails and telephone, so that the stakeholders can be satisfied with the service they are getting from the Municipality in comparison with the levies they pay.
- Developing and implementing communications policy and strategies and develop partnership with government and NGO’s, by attending the relevant meetings and representation on behalf of the Municipality.
- Observation and adherence to protocol during the visit of guests, by disseminating and checking for understanding with respect to the observation to protocol during hosting of guests, foreign and local dignitaries and high rank officials in order to ensure that the image of the municipality is upheld through the application of a professional approach.
- Ensure that the Municipality`s viewpoint is always correctly portrayed in the public and media.
Staff compliment
The Communications Unit consists of four permanent staff members (although one is currently acting in the Fleet Manager position) with two contractual staff members plus one Intern with different roles and responsibilities.
